外国語版

Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens

①Outline of Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens

About the Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens Located close to the center of the city, the Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens is located to the side of Lake Ezu, the citizens’ oasis. Spanning 24.5 hectares, the Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens features about 120 species in 1,000 animals and about 740 types of around 50,000 plants. Upon entering the main entrance of the zoo, visitors are greeted by friendly monkeys. After continuing on, popular animals such as tigers, elephants and giraffes can be seen. Inside, golden snub-nosed monkeys, which are said to have been the basis for the King of Monkey’s ‘Sun Wu Kong’ from the old Chinese romantic novel ‘The Journey to the West’, can be found with their exceptional golden fur. Visitors can also learn about animals in the zoo museum.

●“Seeing, touching, playing” - Animal Zone for cultivating the senses Opened in April 2005, the petting zoo square, Touch Love Land, features play area based on the American West as well as an area to meet animals. This is a place where children can cultivate their “seeing, touching, and playing” senses.

●Botanical Zone with Seasonal Flowers The Botanical Zone features a traditional Japanese landscape garden as well as many trees and shrubs that one can enjoy. Also, at the front of the Botanical Zone is a “Flower Rest Area” that has a large greenhouse and orchid room with tropical and subtropical flowers on display year round for visitors to engage with nature. The nature consultation office was opened to promote the afforestation of plants and trees and it offers consultation and advice relating to flowers and nature.

●Amusement Zone for the whole family The Amusement Zone has 11 large types and 40 small types amusement attractions installed. One of the attractions, the ‘Disk O’, is popular among young people and attractions such as the monorail or a Ferris wheel are recommended for small children and senior citizens. Fares range from 10 yen to 300 yen and the whole family can enjoy the amusement attractions.

②Visitor Information

●Open hours 9:00AM to 5:00PM（Entrance permitted until 4:30PM）

●Closed days Mondays (except the 4th Monday of the month), 4th Tuesday of the month. If Mondays (except the 4th Monday) and 4th Tuesdays fall on holidays, the following weekday is closed. Closed December 30th – January 1st

●Admission Fee

Individual

Group

Adults/High School Students

300円

240円

Elementary/Junior High School Students

100円

80円

Infants

Free

Free

Group admission fees are applicable to groups with over 30 members. (Please fill in the group visitor application form beforehand and submit to the Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens.) Elementary and junior high school students who bring a name card or Student’s Handbook with them will be admitted free of charge. Disabled individuals will be admitted free of charge after showing their identification booklet for the disabled.

③Access

●Access by streetcar 【Depart】Streetcar bound for Kengun (健軍) 【Arrive】Zoological and Botanical Gardens, 10 minute walk from streetcar stop Take a streetcar A or B bound for Kengun, get off at a stop of Zoological and Botanical Gardens Entrance and walk 10 minutes from the stop.

●Access by city bus（from the Kotsu Center to the Animal Zone） 【Depart】Platform C 31 Bound for Wakaba Elementary School(若葉小学校) via Kencho (県庁経由) or Bound for Akitsu Shonan Memorial Hall (秋津小楠記念会館) via Kencho（県庁経由） takes about 35 minutes 【Arrive】Zoological Botanical Gardens, 2 minute walk Get on a bus bound for Wakaba Elementary School(若葉小学校) via Kencho (県庁経由) or a bus bound for Akitsu Shonan Memorial Hall (秋津小楠記念会館) via Kencho（県庁経由）at the 31 stop of the Platform C at the Kumamoto Kotsu Center. It takes about 35 minutes. After getting off the bus at the stop of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, walk 2 minutes.

●Access by city bus（from the Kotsu Center to the Botanical Zone） 【Depart】Platform C 32 Bound for Clair/Jonan/Kosa (クレア・城南・甲佐) takes about 35 minutes 【Arrive】Zoological and Botanical Gardens, West Exit, 1 minute walk Get on a bus bound for Clair/Jonan/Kosa (クレア・城南・甲佐) at the 32 stop of the Platform C at the Kumamoto Kotsu Center. It takes about 35 minutes. After getting off the bus at the stop of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, walk 1 minute.

●Access by city bus（from Kami-kumamoto Station） 【Depart】Bound for Zoological and Botanical Gardens West Exit 【Arrive】Last stop, 1 minute walk From the Kami-kumamoto Station, get on a bus bound for Zoological and Botanical Gardens West Entrance. At the last stop, get off and walk 1 minute.

●Access by car Take route 57 (East bypass - 東バイパス) from the Kumamoto Interchange and head towards Kencho (県庁) and turn left at the Kumamoto City Hospital (市民病院)